How to Create Special Entertainment in Your Town for the Learning Disabled
In many towns there’s plenty to do for fun but learning disabled individuals just don’t belong there, not because they’re disabled, but because they could get hurt. Learning disabled children may have learned to skate, for example, but they could get badly hurt if trying to maneuver in a room full of fast-paced skating action.
There’s a lot you can do to see that your town offers fun and excitement to the learning disabled. First, run an ad in the local paper and form a meeting of parents and caretakers of the learning disabled. Discuss how you can all pitch in to improve the entertainment choices for the learning disabled.
If you have a large turnout you’ll be even more apt to get cooperation from the local businesses. Call the library and tell them how many kids/adults you have that are willing to visit the library locally for a reading. If the library can’t furnish the reader, one of the parents can volunteer, and the library will definitely furnish the book. The library will probably be your easiest undertaking since they try to work with the public on many levels. Ask if you can have a section of the library to have the reading session, each week. Most libraries will allow this and it’s one activity that’s free! The library also has movies so the group can take turns choosing movies and have a movie night at one parent’s home.
The local YMCA is another place that might cooperate and let the learning disabled children swim for an hour or so, free of charge. If they can’t do it for free, talk to the Department of Social Services to see if payment can be made through the government. Ask about the Y’s least busy times of the week and see if you can have an hour time slot. Make sure there are plenty of parents and caretakers to watch the kids.
Band together and take the kids/adults to do various activities, with groups of parents taking turns. You can take the individuals once a week, or once a month, to do all sorts of things, like camping, hiking, visiting the zoo, having a picnic, or just going out for a nice meal.
Your local parks are a likely spot where your kids/adults will be welcome. Reserve a shelter and have a cookout and let the kids play, making sure they are well supervised. Some local factories will allow your kids/adults to come in and visit, taste wares, see how things are manufactured, and learn more about fun companies. Call some of the more interesting places in your town to see if you can schedule this walk-through. Another place to check is one of your local pet stores. Ask if the store can open an hour early, or stay an hour late, to accommodate a tour from your group. The store stands to sell an animal or two, since kids love pets, so they’ll likely do it for you as a one-time event.
Advertise and get your group together and, collectively, they’ll think of even more places that your kids/adults would love to visit. Also, check with the Chamber of Commerce to see if they can offer suggestions. Learning disabled kids have the right to have fun and entertainment, too, but you might have to work to make it happen.
